Automatic box lidder



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Patented Apr. 19, 193@ UNITED STATES AUTOMATIC BOX LIEDER Application December 10, 1930, Scriai No. 501,285

23 Claims.

My invention relates to receptacle lidding devices and particularly to shipping case lidding devices.

Large portions of the various crow of fruits and vegetables produced in the United States are sent to the market in wooden cases, generally called boxes, the contents of each box being held therein by a. wooden cover or lid nailed to the box.

To accomplish this, lidding,r machines, either manually or automatically operated. are prom vided. In these devices it has heretofore been necessary to manually hold a lid in position while the device is operated to apply the lid to a bon. This endangers the operatoris hands and reduces the possible speed ci the device.

it is correspondingly an object of my inven-u tion to provide a lidding machine having novel. means for mechanically positioning c. lid ior application to n box by said machine.

Certain crops, such as citrus fruits, are packed with what is ltnown as c. crown pack, that is, the fruit is heaped up above the top of the bon so when the lid is applied it 'will bulge upwardly. Much oi the time consumed in lidding crown packed bones at present is devoted to tucklng fruit in at the sides and ends oi the bon to prevent it being crushed between the lid and the box.

It is an object of my invention to provide a lldding machine having novel means for anto matically tncking fruit or the like inwardly ben tween the box and the lid during the lidding operation.

While my invention may be incorporated with many diilerent kinds of lidding devices, it is especially designed for use in an automatic liddlng machine.

It is a still further object of my invention to accomplish two or more of the foregoing objects by a. single means.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a novel gathering mechanism for gathering fruit or the like inwardly from over an edge of a box incidental to pressing the overflow produce downward into said box, to prevent the pinching of said produce.

The manner in which the foregoing objects are accomplished. as well as further objects and advantages will be made manifest in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of my invention in box receiving position.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation ci Fig. 1 taken in the direction ci" the arrow 2.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. i in box lidding position.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 taken in the direction of the arrow 4 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a rear elevational view taken in the direction oi the arrow 5 in Fie'. 2. A

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic horizontal sectional View taken on the line 6-8 oi Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on the line iw-l of Fig. o.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View taken on the line tci Fig. 7.

Fig. il is a view similia-r to Fig. ii taken in the direction oi the arrow il in Fig. li.

Fig. it is a diagrammatic perspective view of the bon receiving conveyor trainer/ori: ot my invention.

Fig. li n a crocs sectional vien taken on the line li-ii oi.' Fig. l0.

Fig. l2 is a longitudinali sectional View teiten on the line ii-it oi Fig. il..

Fig. i3 is an enlarged'iragmentary detail sec= tional view taken on the line iiiii of Fig. 2.

Fig'. it lo n. view similar to i3 taken on the line lll-it of 2, iiinstrating a bon in a partially lidded position.

Fig. i5 is a view' similar to Fig. it? taken on the line E53- Iii of Fig. 2 and showing the hon in iidding position.

Fig. i6 is a detaii sectional view taken on the line iii-i6 oi Fig. l..

Referring specifically to the drawings, the iliustrated embodiment oi' my invention comprises an automatic box lidder having a frame 26v on which is mounted a box lifting conveyor 2l', and on which is ilxedly supported a lid applying mechanism 28.

The frame 26 includes angle footing members 30 which are connected by a solid steel bar 3| and from which heavy channel standards 32 ex tend upwardly and are connected together as by horizontal frame members 35 and 36. Provided on forward faces of the standards 32 are slideways 33. Secured on members 35 and 36 and depending therefrom are rear side tucker tracks 39 having upper vertical portions 4.0, and lower oll'set portions Il. Also secured on the standards 32 are box guides 42.

l The convener The box receiving conveyer 21 includes a framework having inner and outer longitudinal members 43 and I1 connected rigidly by anvil bars 49 and 50. Rigidly connected to lower surfaces of the anvil bars 49 and 50 is a relatively heavy lifting bar 5|. Secured to opposite ends of the longitudinal bar 46 are cylindrical slideA shafts 55. Extending downwardly from opposite ends of the bar 41 is a vertical bracing framework 58, opposite side members 51 of which extend downwardly, diagonally, and are connected at their lower ends to the slide shafts 55.

Suspended from the anvil bars 48 and 56 by bolts 60 having compression springs 6| is a depressible roller conveyer frame 63. The frame 63 includes angle iron members 64 and 65 which are connected at their ends by plates 66. The vertical flanges of the angle iron members 64 and 85 are notched out to t the anvil bars 49 and and are provided with suitable apertures 61 through which bolts may be extended for mounting conveyer rollers 68 thereon.

Secured in an opening 68 at a middle point in the lower surface of the lifting bar 5| is a piston rod 10 o f a hydraulic cylinder 1| which is disposed on a vertical axis and rests upon the solid frame cross bar 3|.

Box stop mechanism The box receiving conveyer 21 is provided with a box stop mechanism 12. This mechanism includes a long arm 13 pivotaliy connected by a link 14 to the lifting bar 5| adjacent a boss 15 formed on the bar. The arm 13 extends along the bar 5I beneath the anvil bar 50 and has a. stop 16 formed on its end which extends upwardly through a notch 16a formed in the anvil bar 50. The arm 13 has a downward extending finger 11 from which a tension spring 18 is stretched to a stationary nger 19 provided on the lifting bar 5| so as to maintain the arm 13 and stop 16 positioned as shown in Fig. 12. Formed on the arm 13 are bosses 85 and 86. Rigidly provided on the anvil bar 50 is a boss 81 having a stop screw 08 adjustably mounted therein in a position to be contacted by the boss 86 of the arm 13 when the stop 16 is pulled horizontally to stretch the spring 18. Mounted on the angle. iron 64 as shown in Fig. 11 is a bracket 90 having a depressing linger 9| which extends over the boss 85 for a purpose to be described later.

Front side tucker Journalled in suitable bearings 98 mounted on opposite ends of the stiening frame 56 is a shaft |00 of a front side fruit tucker |0|. The shaft |00 has arms 02 fixed to its opposite ends. Extending through holes in end portions of the arms |02 are end portions of yieldable guide arms |03, the opposite ends of which are pivoted on the standards 32. Coiled about lower portions of the arms |03 and pressing the arms |02 against nuts |04 on arms |03 are compression springs |05. Rigidiy mounted on the shaft |00 and extending upwardly therefrom are tucker plate supporting arms ||0 on upper ends of which a front side tucker plate is mounted so as to be vertically slidable. Yieidably supporting the plate in its upper position are a pair of springs |2 mounted .on rods ||3 secured to the shaft |00.

Secured to the tucker plate |I| along its upper edge are face plates H8. Opposite ends ||3 of the upper edges of the plates and ||6 are beveled as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 for reasons which will become evident hereinafter. Secured to inner faces of the lower portions of the arms lllisaguide strap |20.

Rear side tucker Mounted upon the longitudinal conveyer frame bar 46 by spacers |29 are main supporting arms |30 of a rear side tucker |3|.

otally supported between upper end portions of these arms is a shaft |36 having tucker arms |31 extending upwardly therefrom and carrying rollers |38 which bear against forward faces of the tracks 38. Siidable vertically on the arms |31 is a rear side tucker plate |40 having tucker face plates |4| secured thereto as shown in Fig. 2. Outer portions |43 of the plates |40 and |4| are beveled as shown in Fig. 5, for reasons which will become evident hereinafter. Mounted upon rods |44, extending upwardly from the shaft |36, is a pair of springs |45 which yieldably support the tucker plate |40 in its upper position against collars |46. Upper end portions |50 of the rods |44 extend above the tucker |3| and are bent inwardly and upwardly as shown in Fig. 2. Extending rearwardly from the shaft |36 are short arms |55 which are connected by tension springs |56 to brackets |51 provided on lower portions of the supporting arms |30 the rollers |30 being thus held in contact with the tracks 38.

Lid receiving ami applying, and end fruit tucking mechanism Reinforcing opposite ends of the cross bar 36 are plates |10. Extending upwardly from these plates and connected to the upper cross bar 35 are nailing head supporting plates |12, forward ends of which are spaced by a bar |13 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.. Supported on inner faces of the plates |12 are a series of nailing chucks |15, in each of which is operated one of a series of nailing plungers |16. Nails are fed to the chucks |15 through the usual ilexible tubes |11.

Secured against the inner face of each of the plates |12 as by bolts |80 (see Figs. 2 and 14) are tucker bearing supports |8| having vertical portions |02, feet |83 extending inwardly therefrom, and bearings |84 provided on the inner ends of these feet. Adjustably secured to lower faces of the feet |83 as by countersunk cap screws |05 is a lid compressing bar |86, the inner face |01 of which is bevelled as shown in Figs. 13, 14, and l5. Mounted on opposite ends of the bar |85 are tucker stops |88 for a purpose which will be made clear hereinafter. Mounted between and with its ends Journalled in the upright portions |02 of tucker supports |8| is a lid guide shaft |80 having a lid guide |9| formed as shown in Figs. 2, 6, 13, and 14. 'I'his guide extends downwardly and inwardly beneath the bar |86 to a point beneath the face |81 thereof, and has guide wings |92 and a central leg |93.extending downwardly therefrom. Provided centrally on each bar |86 and extending inwardly therefrom as shown in Fig. 13, is alug |85 from the inner end of which a rod |96 extends upwardly. Attached at its opposite ends to the rod |86 and the guide |9| is a coil spring |91, which tends to swing the guide into its inwardmost position.

Journalled in the bearings |84 is a shaft 200, to opposite ends of which hook-like arms 20| and 202 are rigidly secured. These arms extend downwardly and have Journalled in suitable bearings therein trunnions 205 and 206 of an end tucker roller 201. 'Ihe trunnion 205 is relatively short and rests in a hole in the lower end of the arm 20| and is secured therein by a cap screw 200 which extends into the end of the roller 201. The

Y Connecting upper ends of the arms |30 is a guide strap |33 and pivtrunnion 206 is relatively long and rests in a bearing 2|0 provided on the lower end oi' the arm 202, the trunnion 206 having a squared end 2|| and a cylindrical nipple 2|2 extending therebeyond.

Mounted on the rear ends of each roller 201 as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 is a rack and pinion actuating mechanism 220. This mechanism includes a U-shaped shell 22| .providing walls 222 and 223 apertured to fit the outer end of the trunnion 206 and the nipple 2|2 respectively. Disposed between the walls 222 and 223 and fitting the squared roller end 2|| is a pinion 225.

Formed in the end of the trunnion 206 is a suitable aperture for threadedly receiving a cap screw 226 which bears against a washer 221 to hold the rack and pinion mechanism 220 in place on the end of the roller.

The shell 22| forms a guideway 223 for receiving a rack 229 which extends downwardly and is pivotally secured to the bracket |51 disposed directly therebelow. Lips 230 may be bent inwardly to assist in guiding the racks 229 along the guideway 228.

End portions 235 of the rollers 201 'disposed adjacent to the arms 20| and 202 are of smaller diameter than the middle portion 236 of the roller for a purpose which will be made clear later.

Provided centrally on each shaft 200 extending outwardly therefrom is a short arm 240 bifurcated at its end to receive the rod |96 as shown in Fig. 13. Threadedly adjustable on the rod |96 is a nut 24| upon which the arm 240 is adapted to rest. Disposed about the rod |56 above the arm 240 is a washer 242 which is com pressed against the arm by a spring 244, the

. pressure of which is adjustable as by nuts 245.

The spring 244 tends to hold the arms 20| and 202 and the roller 201 disposed therebetween in its downwardmost position as shown in Fig. 13, which is determined by the position of the nut 24| in the rod |96. The operation of my invention is as follows: Suitable control means ior the hydraulic cylinder 1| is of course provided. At the beginning of operations, the box receiving conveyer21-is in its downward position as shown in Figs. l, 2, and 5. This conveyer is adapted to receive a box in this position, the box being stopped thereon by the stop mechanism 12. Power is then applied to the hydraulic cylinder 1| so as to lift the elevator 21 into its uppermost position in which it is shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 9. This accomplishes the applying of a lid to this box and facilitates its being nailed in place. It also accomplishes the tucking of the fruit in at both front and rear sides and both ends |9| with end portions of the lid resting upon the rollers. This lid may be inserted either manually or mechanically straight inwardly from the iront between the arms 20| with ends abutting against wings |92 of the yieldable lid guides |9|.

The equal pressure of the lid guides |9| against the lid 250 centers the lid so that its opposite ends are positioned as shown in Fig.r 13 directly beneath the bevelled inner faces |81 of the compressing bar |86.

When the lid is thus inserted in the machine it is pushed rearwardly until it comes in contact with upper end portions |50 of the rods |44 which act as rear positioning stops for the lid.

A box 210 is now drawn from a suitable con veyer (not shown) onto the rollers 03 of the conveyer 21. This box il pushed rearwardly against the guide strap |33 and advanced until it engages the stop 16 of the box stop mechanism 12. This carries the arm with the box a kshort distance stretching the spring 13 until the boss 36 engages the stop screw 33 which stops further travel of the box 210. The box is now properly positioned beneath the lid receiving and applying mechanism for this to properly apply the lid 250 to the box 210. The springs 6| are of such stiflness as to support the box 210 with a load oi.' fruit packed tightly therein as is customary for commercial shipments. In the drawings herein, box 210 is shown as containing a commercial pack of oranges. In this form of pack the upper layer of oranges 21| is disposed above the upper edges 212 of the box 210. The box 210 is a standard orange shipping case, and sides 214 thereof are formed of two slats, the upper edge o! each side being disposed slightly below the upper edges 215 of the box ends 216.

soon as the box 210 is brought to a stop by the stop mechanism 12, the operator of the lidder 25 actuates certain control mechanism (not shown) which pumps a suitable liquid into the lower end of the cylinder 1| so as to move the wardly by their respective mechanisms into the position in which they are shown in Fig. 4.

This deflection oi.' the front side tucker results, as clearly shown by comparison of Figs. 2 and 4, from the upward swinging of the arm |03 about its stationary pivot on the main frame. The inward deilection of the rear side tucker |4| results from the rollers |33 riding from the lower por tions 4| of the tracks 39 up onto the upper portions 40 thereof. That is, when the box 210 is lifted upwardly as shown in Fig. 4, the rollers |38 rest against the forward faces of the upper track sections 40 which, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, are positioned some distance in advance of the lower sections 4|. It is of course also understood that whenever the conveyer 21 is lifted, both front and rear tuckers move with this conveyer because they are mounted directly on the conveyer trame, as described hereinabove.

When the tucker plates ||6 and 4| are thus deilected inwardly they engage any fruit extending outwardly over box sides and move this inward so that this fruit may be pushed downwardly into the box without cutting it on the upper edges of the box sides.

During upward movement of the conveyer 21 the rack and pinion mechanisms 220 rotate the end tuckers 201 so that when these tucker rollers contact fruit as shown in Fig. 13 this fruit is tucked inwardly as shown in Fig. 14, while the box ends 216 travel upwardly until they come in contact with the rollers 201. At this time the bevelled end edges ||3 of the front side tucker and corresponding portions |43 of the rear side tucker engage the narrow end portions 235 of the rollers 201 so as to force the tucker plates and |40 downwardly against the upper edges of opposite sides of the box 210. Further movement upward of the conveyer 21 brings the bevelled end edges of the side tuckers forcibly against the rollers 201 so as to swing these outwardly into the position in which these tuckers are shown in Fig. 15. Here the tucker rollers 281 rest against the stops |88 so that there is Just enough space between the tucker rollers to receive a standard orange box 210. This positively positions the box 210 so that the box ends 212 will properly receive the nails when it comes time to nail the lid 250 to the box.

It it is desired, the side tuckers need not be arranged to contact with the end tuckers to move this out from between` the box and the lid, as this may be accomplished by the rotation oi' the end tuckers by the rack and pinion mechanisms 220 when the roller tuckers 281 contact with the upper edges 215 of the box ends 218.

The inward -movement of the front and rear side tuckers pushes the side tucker face plates I8 and III inwardly over the side 214 of the box 218 so as to tuck the fruit in between the lid 250 and the box sides to prevent this being crushed when the lid is applied as shown in Figs. 3, 4, 9, and 15.

As the conveyer 21 approaches its upwardmost position the box 21|) crowds the cleats 288 of the lid 250 against lower faces of the nailing chucks |15. The bevelled faces |81 of the lid compressing bars |88 compress the lid 250 into an upward bowed position regardless of the action of the fruit which also tends to bow the lid in this manner. As the tucker rollers 281 swing outwardly into the positions in which they are shown in Fig. 15, they contact the legs |83 of the guides |8| so as to swing these guides out of the way as shown in this figure.

'I'he pressure of the box ends 218 against the lid 258 is sumcient when added to the weight-of the box 210 and its contents, to force the conveyer rollers 88 downwardly and stretch the springs 8| until the ends 213 of the box rest upon the anvil bars I8 and 58.

The rollers 68 of course are mounted on the frame 83 so that the latter moves downwardly relative to theconveyer framework 45 as the conveyer 21 reaches its upwardmost position. 'I'his causes a relative movement between the depressing flnger 9| and the box stop mechanism arm 13 so as to depress this arm and bring the stop 16 formed thereon below the level of the bottom of the box 218. This permits the spring 18 to retract the arm 13 to a point where the stop 18 is beneath the box. Thus when the box is again lowered it is free to be moved over the stop and, off the conveyer 21 and onto a suitable discharge conveyer (not shown) disposed to receive it.

A mechanism (not shown) controlling operation of the nailing Plungers |18 is now actuated by the operator so that these plungers simultaneously reciprocate to nail each end of the lid 258 onto its respective box end 218. The mechanism thus controlling the nailing plungers |18 is connected to.contro1s for the cylinder 1| so that as soon as the nailing function is accomplished the oil in the lower end of the cylinder 1| is permitted to exhaust this causing the conveyer 21 to move downwardly and the lidded box 218 to be discharged therefrom.

What I claim is:

1. In a lidding device, the combination of: means for applying a lid to a box in the proper position for securing said lid to said box; means disposed between end portions of said lid and said box while said box and said lid are being brought together for tucking fruit or the like heapedup on said box, inwardly from the ends between said lid and saidv box; and means for causing said.

tucking means to rotate/to tuck said fruit without injury thereto.

2. A combination as in claim 1 in which said tucking means also supports said lid in position for application to said box. f

3. In a lidding device, the combination of: means for applying a lid to a box in the proper position for securing said lid to said box; a pair of cylindrical tuckers, one extending between each end of said box and said lid, for tucking fruit or the like heaped up on said box, inward-V ly between said lid and' said box; means for supporting said tuckers in said positions while said box and lid are being brought together; and means for rotating said tuckers to/force said fruit inwardly from beneath said tuckers.

4. In a lidding device, the combination of: means for applying a lid to a box in the proper position for securing said lid to said box; a pair of cylindrical tuckers, one extending between each end of said box and said lid, for tucking fruit or the like heaped up on said box, inwardly between said lid and said box; means for supporting said tuckers in said positions while said box and lid are being brought together; means for rotating said tuckers to force said fruit inwardly from beneath said tuckers; and means causing said tuckers to move away from over the upper faces of the box ends just before said lid is applied to said box in position for securing thereto.

5. In a lidding device, the combination of: means for supporting a filled box; means for applying a lid to said box in proper position for securing thereto; end fruit tucking means; means for bringing said box supporting means and said lid applying means together; and rack and pinion means actuated by said last aforementioned means for operating said fruit tucking means.

6. In a lidding device, the combination of: means for supporting a filled box; lid end supports comprising fruit tuckers for supporting a lid above said box; and arms upon which said tuckers are mounted, an opposite pair of said arms being formed to receive a lid horizontally therebetween into proper position on said tuckers.

7. A combination as in claim 6 including lid side stops for aligning said lid sideways with said box; and end stops for aligning said lid endwise wliilzh said box, one of said ends stops being yielda e.

8. In a lidding device, the combination of: means for supporting a lled box; means for applying a lid to said box in proper position for securing thereto; end fruit tucking means; means for bringing said box supporting means and said lid applying means together; side fruit tuckers mounted on said box support means and disposed along upper edges of said box sides; and means on said side tuckers for operating said end tuckers.

9. In a box lidding device the combination of: means for receiving a lid in position for applying it to a box; means for conveying a box horizontally beneath said lid receiving means and stopping it with said lid superimposed thereabove; means for bringing said lid receiving means and said conveying means together to apply' said lid to said box in position for nailing it thereto; and a roller provided on said lid receiving means for tucking fruit and the like inward from an edge of said box to prevent said i'ruit being crushed between said box and said lid.

l0. In a box lidding device the combination of means for receiving a lid in position for applying it to a box; means for conveying a box horizonn tally beneath said lid receiving means and stopping it with said lid superimposed thereabove; means for bringing said lid receiving means and said conveying means together to apply said lid to said box in position for nailing it thereto; a shaft journalled on said lid receiving means; arm means provided on said shaft; and a tucker roller journalled on said arni means for tucking fruit and the like inward from an edge of said box to prevent said fruit being crushed between said box and said lid.

11. In a box lidding device the combination of: means for receiving a lid in position for applying it to a box; means for conveying a box horizontally beneath said lid receiving means and stopping it with said lid superimposed thereabove; means for bringing said lid receiving means and said conveying means together to apply said lid to said box in position for nailing it thereto; means provided on said lid receiving means for tucking fruit and the like inward from an edge of said box to prevent said fruit being crushed between said box and said lid; and rack and pinion means actuated by said lid applying means for operating said tucking means.

12. In combination: a box support; a stationary lid applying means 'mounted over said supvport; means for lifting said support to bring a box into engagement with said lid applying means and permit a lid to be applied to said box; and tucking means provided on said lid applying means and actuated by said lifting movement to move an overflow of the contents of said box inward between said lid and said box before the consummation of said lid applying operation.

13. A combination as in claim 12 in which said tuckers are pivotally mounted over end portions of said box so as to swing outward from between said box and said lid just before the consummation of said lid applying operation.

14. In combination: box support means; lid applying means mounted above said support means; means for moving one of the aforesaid means towards the other to apply a lid to a box on said support means; side flushers mounted on said box support and actuated by the aforesaid movement to move an overflow of the contents of said box inward between said lid and said box before the consummation of said lid applying operation; and means for yieldably holding at least one of said flushers against said box whi said iiushers are in flushing position.

15. In a device for applying lids to boxes overfilled with fresh fruit or the like the combination of means for supporting such a box; a presser head disposed over said means; means causing relative vertical movement between said supporting means and said presser head to press a lid onto said box with the ends of said lid engaging the ends of said box; gathering means on said presser head, said gathering means overlying a vertical wml of said box, as well as overlying overflow fruit or the like, extending outwardly over said wall so that said relative vertical movement results in contact between said gathering means and said overflow fruit or the like and the shifting of the latter inwardly from over said wall; and means permitting said gathering means to shift outwardly away from over said wall following said gathering operation.

16. In a device for applying lids to boxes overfilled with fresh fruit or the like the combination of means for supporting such a box; Va presser head disposed over said means; means causing relative vertical movement between said supporting means and said presser head tov press a lid onto said box with the ends of said lid engaging the ends of said box; and gathering means rotatably mounted on said presser head, said gathering means overlying a vertical wall of said box, as well as overlying overflow fruit or the like, extending outwardly over said wall so that said relative vertical movement results in contact between said gathering means and said overflow fruit or the like and the shifting of the latter inwardly from over said wall.

17. In a device for applying lids to boxes overfllled with fresh fruit or the like the combination of: means for supporting such a box; a presser head disposed over said means; means causing relative vertical movement between said supporting means and said presser head to press a lid onto said box with the ends of said lid engaging the ends of said box; gathering means overlying a vertical Wall of said box, as well as overlying overflow fruit or the like, extending outwardly over said wall so that said relative vertical movement results in contact between said gathering means and said overflow fruit or the like and the shifting of -the latter inwardly from over said wall; and means for positively rotating said gathering means during said gathering operation.

18. In a device for applying lids to boxes overfllled with fresh fruit or the like the combination of means for supporting such a box; a presser head disposed over said means; means causing relative vertical movement between said' supporting means and said presser head to press a lid onto said box with the ends of said lid engaging the ends of said box; and means extending beneath an edge of a lid for supporting said edge of said lid, said means, when so disposed, overlying a vertical wall of said box, as well as overlying overflow fruit or the like, extending outwardly over said wall so that said relative vertical movement results in contact between said lid edge supporting means and said overflow fruit or the like and the shifting of the latter inwardly from over said wall.

19. In a device for applying lids to boxes overlled with fresh fruit or the like the combination of means for supporting such a box; a presser head disposed over said means; means causing relative vertical movement between said supporting means and said presser head to press a lid onto said box with the ends of said lid engaging the ends of said box; and means on said presser head and extending inwardly beneath opposite edges of a lid to support said lid, said means when so disposed overlying opposite vertical walls of said box, as well as overlying overflow fruit or the like, extending outwardly over said walls so that said relative vertical movement results in contact between said lid edge supporting means and said overflow fruit or the like and the shifting of the latter inwardly from over said walls.

20. In a device for applying lids to boxes over-` filled with fresh fruit or the like the combination of: means for supporting such a box; a presser head disposed over said means; means causing relative vertical movement between said supporting means and said presser head to press a lid onto said box with the ends of said lid vengaging the ends of said box; and a pair of lid supporting members provided on said presser head and extending inwardly beneath opposite ends of a lid to support the latter on said presser head, said lid supporting members overlying the ends vof said box, as well as overlying overflow fruit or the like, extending outwardly over said ends so that said relative vertical movement results in contact between said members and said overow fruit or the like and the sluiting of the latter inwardly from over said ends of said box; and means permitting said members to shift outwardly away from over said box ends following said gathering operation.

21. In a device for applying lids to boxes overillled with fresh fruit or the like the combination of: means for supporting such a box; a presser head disposed over said means; means causing relative vertical movement between said supporting means and said presser head to press a lid onto said box with the ends of said lid engaging the ends of said box; and a roller on said presser head, said roller overlying a vertical wall of said box, as well as overlying overilow fruit or the like, extending outwardly over said wall so that said relative vertical movement results in a contact between said roller and said overflow fruit or the like and the shifting of the latter inwardly from over said wall.

22. In a device for packaging fruit or the like, the combination of: a table for supporting a box overillled with fruit so that certain edge pieces the combination of: a table for supporting a box overfilled with fruit so that certain edge pieces of the upper layer of said fruit overlie a vertical wall oi said box; a rotatable gathering member mounted to overlie said vertical wall and said edge pieces of fruit; means for causing relative vertical movement between said box supporting table and said gathering member to bring the latter and said edg` pieces of fruit into contact and to shift the latter inwardly from over said vertical wall; and means actuated by said relative vertical movement to cause said member to be moved outwardly from over said wall following said fruit shifting operation.

HALE PAXTON. 

